How to Fix an Invisible Fence

If you've installed an invisible fence, but have noticed your dog seems to have no hesitation when passing the fence barrier, the fence may be broken. Finding a break in an invisible fence is tricky because the wiring is buried underground. Luckily, you can figure out the general area where the break in the fence is coming from without picking up a shovel.

Keep in mind that while working on your invisible fence, the fence will be unable to prevent your dog from crossing it. Make sure you are closely supervising your dog during the repair or keep him inside until the job is complete.Step 1: Turn off the power to the invisible fence. Either turn off circuit breaker that powers the invisible fence or unplug the invisible fence if it is connected to a traditional outlet.

Step 2: Look for the terminals on the transformer that attach to the actual invisible fence. Unscrew the terminals slightly so you can pull out the wires that are attached to them. Label each wire for easy re-installation once you have fixed the fence.

Step 3: Attach the two wires from an RF choke to the terminals on the transformer. Use the terminal screws to secure the connection.

TIP: An RF choke doesn't allow an RF signal to pass, but does allow the lower DC signal to pass uninhibited. Using a RP choke will allow you to quickly determine where the breaks in the wire are located.

Step 4: Wrap the underground wires you attached to the terminal to the ends of the wires on the RF choke. With all the wires attached, you can return electricity to the invisible fence.

Step 5: Turn on a handheld AM radio to 600. Stand near the fence line with the radio, you should hear a hum when you are near the fence. Continue walking along the fence line. When you find a spot where you can no longer hear the hum, mark the areas with a stake. Continue checking the entire length of the fence: you may find that you have several areas that will need to be repaired.

Step 6: Dig in the areas you have marked to locate the broken wires. Dig carefully to avoid breaking the wires.

Step 7: Join the ends of the broken wires together. To start, remove the insulation from about 2 inches from the ends of the wire. If there is enough slack in the wire, twist the wires together and secure the connection with wire nut and a generous amount of electrical tape to make a water tight connection. If there is not enough slack, you will have to cut a length of wire and use it as patch between the two sets of wires.

Step 8: Check the area again with your radio. If the repair was made correctly, you should be able to hear the hum.

Step 9: Once all the repairs have been made and checked, bury the lines once more. Turn off the power to the invisible fence, and detach the RF choke from the transformer. Reattach the wires from the invisible fence to the transformer and secure the connections at the terminal. Restore electricity to the fence.